Megbántam

Megbántam is a Hungarian verb meaning “I regretted” or, in suitable contexts, “I regret.” It is the first-person singular past tense form of the verb megbánni, which means to regret or feel remorse about something. The word is commonly used to express remorse for a past action or decision.

Etymology and form: Megbántam is built from the root bán (to regret or to feel remorse) with the prefix meg- and the first-person singular past tense suffix -tam. The prefix adds a sense of completion or emphasis, while the suffix marks the speaker as the one who performed the action in the past. The infinitive form is megbánni; other tenses derive from this root through standard Hungarian conjugation.

Usage and examples: Megbántam is used to comment on past choices or events. For example: Megbántam, hogy elmentem a buliba. (I regret going to the party.) Megbántam azt, amit tettem. (I regret what I did.) It is often followed by that-clause with hogy or by a direct relative clause such as amit.

Grammatical notes: Megbántam is transitive and typically requires an action or event as its object. Related forms include megbánom (I regret, present), megbánod (you regret), megbánja (he/she regrets), and the past tense forms for other subjects: megbántál, megbántotta, etc. The expression can also stand alone as a short confession: Megbántam.

See also: megbánni, bán, remorse in Hungarian language resources.